The Storyteller

Chapter 5

I burn to make you understand
One wrong word and it all may come crashing down
For the fates are devious by heart
They envy you your dreams, so they'll let you drown

Heal my Wounds - Poets of the Fall

Ariadne paced her room agitatedly 'stupid, stupid, how could I have been so stupid?' She berated herself.

She opened her window and looked out over at the castle 'how did he know avia's name? Of course, she must have told him otherwise he wouldn't have any way to contact her.' She thought to herself.

As the guardian of the labyrinth, Libera had a powerful protective barrier surrounding her. It meant that no one could scry her in any form be it crystal, water or mirror. It also meant that a person had to know her name in order to contact her by either telepathy or crystal message. Ariadne would receive the same barrier around her when she ascended to her place as the new guardian of the labyrinth.

Ariadne frowned as she noticed a crystal gliding towards her window, she moved to one side as it flew past her and landed gently on her desk. She walked over to it cautiously before using a pen to touch it, as she moved the pen towards it the crystal popped like a bubble leaving a letter in its place. She turned the letter over to see the Kings seal, she opened it carefully and began to read.

Ariadne,

You have my deepest apologies for frightening you tonight, I have no intention to reveal your secret to anyone. Only I and my most trusted advisor know who your grandmother is. I have a few theories as to what that makes you but I would rather let you tell me yourself. Please agree to dine with me privately tomorrow night. If you accept my invitation please arrive at my castle by seven, if you do not wish to attend write upon this letter and I will receive your message.

Sincerely, King Jareth of the Goblin Kingdom.

Ariadne read the letter over and over making sure she had read it correctly. She knew she shouldn't tell him the truth about who she was but maybe she could tell him a little bit. 'He was going to recognise her name when she became the guardian anyway' she reasoned.

"Ariadne, is that you?" Libera called.

Ariadne quickly shoved the letter under her pillow and turned to face her bedroom door just as Libera walked in.

"Aria, you're back. Is everything ok? I was waiting for you downstairs." Libera asked.

"Everything is fine Avia, I'm just tired that's all I thought we could talk tomorrow. I didn't realise there would be that much dancing." Ariadne laughed.

"Oh, yes, I remember those days. You get yourself to bed, you can tell me all about it in the morning." Libera replied softly laughing. She helped her get out of her dress and hung it back up on her way out.

"Goodnight my Aria." Libera closed the door gently.

Ariadne lay awake most of the night, she held the letter in her hands carefully smoothing out the creases.' I must not tell Avia that the King knows who I am' She told herself. It was not long after that she fell into a dreamless sleep.

Ariadne woke up feeling as if a ton of bricks sat over her eyes.'urgh I do not want to get out of bed today'. She groaned to herself. As she moved to get out of bed she felt a piece of paper under her hand. She gasped remembering that she would be dining with the King tonight.

Ariadne leaped out of bed feeling rejuvenated at the thought of what was to come. A tremor of excitement rushed through her as she quickly got dressed for the day. Eager to get her duties over and done with she raced downstairs to the kitchen.